SINGAPORE: Changing mindsets, breaking down cliques,
and reducing negative tension seen in the media between locals and
new immigrants were some challenges raised by the People's
Association Integration Council at its first work-plan session on
Saturday.
The Council was formed in July, to give greater
focus and strategic direction in integrating Singapore's new
immigrants.
Having a buddy system for neighbours comprising new
immigrants and local Singaporeans was among suggestions raised by
the Integration Council to reduce cliques in the community.
Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef, advisor, People's Association
Integration Council, said: "Humans, by nature, actually want to
clique together according to their similarities. So you'll find
sometimes the Chinese may clique together, the Indians may clique
together because it gives them comfort and security. To break that
clique, you have to make them comfortable."
Other ideas include highlighting good examples of new immigrants
and locals in the media, recruiting new citizens as volunteers, and
having heritage activities.
Over the next six months, the Integration Council will hold a
series of meetings to discuss how to develop the suggestions raised
at this work plan seminar into more concrete plans.
Once this is decided, the Council will recommend a series of action
plans to the Integration and Naturalisation Champions in all 87
constituencies.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had, in his National Day Rally
speech, expressed concern over anti-foreigner sentiments.
The Council said tackling this is a two-way process.
David Tay, chairman, People's Association Integration Council,
said: "For example, certain races speak quite loudly in their home.
And when they came here they didn't know it's a different society.
We have got to slowly integrate and get these norms over to them...
I believe that can be overcome and we can integrate them... We
Singaporeans can be a bit more gracious, show our kindness."
The Council feels this will go a long way in integrating new
citizens to Singapore.
Separately, on Law Minister K Shanmugam's recent Facebook post
suggesting a legal framework to deal with social nuisance,
Associate Professor Fatimah said where minor matters are concerned,
it's best to deal with it on a personal level.
"What I believe is that if we have these minor ones, some very
personal ones we can approach them personally, talk to them, try to
understand what is it they have as a bias," said Associate
Professor Fatimah.
"But to actually enact a law officially and formally against social
nuisances, it depends. I think because there is a whole spectrum we
have to deal with. I think we should think about this carefully,"
she added.
- CNA/cc